Modular food guard apparatus and systems and methods of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A method of converting a modular food guard from a first configuration to a second configuration. The method includes the steps of disengaging a securing means from a vertical mounting member of a food guard apparatus; removing a first bracket member from the vertical mounting member; and removably securing a second bracket member to the vertical mounting member with the securing means, wherein the first and second bracket members have different constructions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisionalapplication entitled, “Modular Sneeze Guard,” having Ser. No.60/318,899, filed Sep. 13, 2001, which is entirely incorporated hereinby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is generally related to food service stations and,more particularly, is related to modular food guards that includemoveable and interchangeable brackets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, a food guard is used to protect food that is to be servedfrom a food service station. The food guard protects the food fromcontamination from the breath of customers that are requesting orself-serving food from a fast food bar, cafeteria food bar, or othersimilar food bar. Generally, a food service station includes a foodservice line or counter that includes some or all of the following: hotor cold food pans, soup wells, chafing dishes, and a breath protectiondevice or sneeze guard. The food guard is typically attached to the foodservice counter. The food guard is positioned to protect the food fromairborne bacteria, contaminants, the breath, sneezing, or coughing ofcustomers. The food guard has a transparent shield made of glass orother material, which is attached to a support structure. The shieldensures protection of the food while often allowing accessibility aswell.

In order for a food guard to be effective, it must intersect what isconsidered the “breath zone.” This zone is determined by 1) constructingan imaginary vertical line from the front edge of a serving counter upto a height of about 4′-6″ and about 5′-6″ from the floor and 2)constructing an imaginary line from the 4′-6″ intersection to the frontedge of the food zone and 3) constructing an imaginary line from the5′-6″ height to the rear edge of the food zone. The food zone is thearea where exposed food will be displayed—generally a food pan, soupwell, chafing dish, or similar device that is generally set back about3″ to about 6″ from the front edge of the counter. A glass shield orbarrier must intersect the breath zone in order to prevent thecontamination of food from airborne bacteria from the breath ofcustomers. As well, per health code requirements such as UnderwriterLaboratories (UL) Sanitation Code and National Sanitation Foundation(NSF) Standard 2, a food shield must have minimal gaps, cracks, and thelike that may trap food particles and other materials that can possiblycause contamination of the food. Existing permanent food guard designsfrequently have gaps between the food shields and support structure thatdo not meet the noted health standards.

In general, food guards are custom designed for a particular foodservice station with which they are to be used. As such, typical foodguards tend to be individually constructed systems that do not includeinterchangeable parts that are easily removed and/or added to theoverall structure. Therefore, existing food guards are not expandable oradaptable such that they can accommodate changes to the lay out of thefood service station, i.e., the addition of additional food items andserving trays. Moreover, the existing custom designed food guards do notlend themselves to timely repairs by the owner because the individualpieces are not interchangeable. Therefore, to either expand or repairexisting food guards frequently requires the services of a third partyand the construction of an entirely new food guard.

As well, food guards are frequently used for different applications in anumber of different circumstances. One circumstance involves using thefood guard in an attendant-serving mode. In this mode, the customer isrestricted from being able to touch or reach the food by way of atransparent shield, which can be in any of a number of configurations.However, the attendant can hand the food to the customer over the top ofthe food guard or under the guard if there is enough clearance betweenthe food guard and the counter of the food-serving device. Anothercircumstance in which a food guard can be used is in a self-serve mode.Here, the shield of the food guard is angled or positioned so that acustomer can serve himself food through the clearance between the shieldand the food service device. The shield still provides protection fromcontamination from the breath of the customer because it is positionedso as to intersect the “breath zone.” The angle of the shield may needto be varied depending on the position of the food in the food servingstation and the customer. Food that is farther away from the customerrequires sufficient clearance between the shield and the food servicestation to enable access to the food. Therefore, depending on thecircumstance, more or less clearance may be needed to allowaccessibility, while maintaining “breath zone” coverage. In addition,different degrees of accessibility are often needed from meal to mealand from event to event thereby requiring a food guard that isadjustable.

Generally, the shields of currently used food guards are in fixed,non-adjustable positions (e.g., in the vertical or angled position). Adisadvantage to this arrangement is that different types of food guardsare required for different serving circumstances, thereby increasingcosts considerably. Moreover, although food guards exist that haveadjustable shields, adjusting the positions of those shields istypically a cumbersome process that may require more than one operator.

Thus, a heretofore-unaddressed need exists in the industry to addressthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus and method of using amodular food guard. One embodiment of the present invention provides amodular food guard apparatus. The apparatus includes at least onevertical mounting member, at least one first bracket member, and atleast one second bracket member. The first and the second bracketmembers have different constructions and are arranged and configured tobe removably secured to the at least one vertical mounting memberinterchangeably.

A further embodiment provides a method of converting a modular foodguard from a first embodiment to a second embodiment. The methodincludes the steps of disengaging a securing means from a verticalmounting member, removing a first bracket member from the verticalmounting member, removably securing a second bracket member to thevertical mounting member with the securing means, wherein the first andsecond bracket members have different constructions.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principlesof the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like referencenumerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an embodiment of the modularfood guard attached to a food service station.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment ofinterchangeable brackets for use with a modular food guard.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment ofinterchangeable brackets for use with a modular food guard.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment ofinterchangeable brackets for use with a modular food guard.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment ofinterchangeable brackets for use with a modular food guard.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment ofinterchangeable brackets for use with a modular food guard.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate perspective views of embodiments of shelf supportmembers for use with a modular food guard.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective, partially exploded view of anembodiment of shield cap assemblies for use with a modular food guard.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a verticalmounting member for use with a modular food guard.

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrates perspective views of an embodiment of amodular food guard adjusted to various positions.

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate cut out side views of an embodiment of amodular food guard adjusted to various positions.

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate perspective views of embodiments of modularfood guards having various combinations of interchangeable brackets.

FIG. 13A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a modularfood guard.

FIG. 13B illustrates a perspective view of the modular food guard shownin FIG. 13A with an additional segment removably attached thereto.

FIG. 14 illustrates a partial, perspective view of an embodiment of amodular food guard.

FIG. 15 illustrates a partial, perspective view of an embodiment of amodular food guard.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a modularfood guard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides an apparatus and method of using amodular food guard. The present invention overcomes at least one of thedisadvantages discussed above for at least the reason that the presentinvention provides a readily adjustable modular food guard. For example,various embodiments include a food guard that can be readily modifiedaccording to an operator's desires. In general, an embodiment of thepresent invention includes a plurality of interchangeable brackets, oneor more of vertical-mounting members, and a shield The vertical-mountingmembers are attached to a food-serving device. The brackets areremovably attached to the vertical-mounting member and the shield isattached to the brackets. The brackets are interchangeable with variousother brackets such that the configuration of the food guard can bemodified as desired.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a perspective of an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown, FIG. 11A illustrates a food service station 110that has an adjustable, modular food guard 120 including a shield 240,and a food-serving device 130. All embodiments of the modular food guard120 are not necessarily adjustable, as will be discussed later. As canbe seen, the food guard 120 is in the vertical position, or anattendant-serving position, and substantially precludes customers fromaccessing food on the food service station 110. In addition, the modularfood guard 120 substantially precludes bacteria and other contaminantsoriginating from the breath of the customer from impinging upon the foodby providing a barrier between the customer and the food. The customercan see the food and/or food preparation and can be handed the requestedfood from over the food guard 120 or under the food guard 120, if thereis enough clearance between the food guard 120 and food serving device130.

FIG. 11B illustrates a complete food service station 110 that has themodular food guard 120 in an angled position, or self-serving position,with respect to the food serving device 130. The embodiment of thepresent invention provides for an apparatus and method of moving themodular food guard 120 from the vertical position to an angled position.In this configuration, the customer can access the food and self-servefood from the food service station 110. The food guard 120 stillsubstantially precludes bacteria and other contaminants originating fromthe customer from impinging upon the food by providing a barrier betweenthe customer and the food. More specifically, the customer can see thefood through the food guard 120, but the food guard 120 still provides abarrier between the breath of the customer and the food.

Individual elements of a preferred embodiment of a modular food guard120 will now be discussed. FIG. 2 shows a pair of modular brackets 210a. Preferably, each modular bracket 210 a includes a pair of supportapertures 212 a, 212 b and a pair of support flanges 214. Apre-determined distance 216, as measured from the centers of the supportapertures 212 a, 212 b separates the support apertures 212 a, 212 b. Thesupport flanges 214 are configured to support a shield 240 (FIGS.1A-1B). As shown, each support flange 214 includes an orifice 215configured to receive a threaded stem 245 and a shield cap 244 (FIG. 8).Preferably, a shield cap 244 includes a threaded orifice (not shown)configured to receive a threaded stem 245, such as a screw or bolt.However, embodiments are envisioned wherein the orifices 215 of eachsupport flange 214 are threaded in order to matingly engage the threadedstem 245. Note, the support flanges 214 are only preferable embodiments,and other means are envisioned for attaching the shield 240 to themodular brackets 210, such as, but not limited to, adhesives, supportgrooves, etc. Note also, as will become apparent, embodiments areenvisioned including numerous support apertures. For the purposes of thepresent application, modular brackets 210 that are mirror images of oneanother are considered to be of identical construction and are typicallyused in pairs.

FIG. 3 shows a pair of modular brackets 210 b that are adjustablebetween four positions relative to a vertical-mounting member 230 (FIG.8). As shown, modular bracket 210 b includes five support apertures 212a, 212 b, with one support aperture 212 a serving as a pivot point aboutwhich the modular bracket 210 b can be rotated and four supportapertures 212 b that can be used to secure the modular bracket 210 b inthe desired position, as discussed hereinafter with regard to FIGS.10A-10D. Each of the support apertures 212 b is equidistant from supportaperture 212 a, that distance being equal to the pre-determined distance216 between the support apertures 212 a-212 b of modular bracket 210 a(FIG. 2). Similar to modular bracket 210 a, modular bracket 210 b isconfigured to receive a shield 240 (FIGS. 1A-1B).

FIG. 4 shows a pair of modular brackets 210 c that are adjustablebetween at least two positions relative to a vertical-mounting member230 (FIG. 8). As shown, each modular bracket 210 c includes four supportapertures 212 s, 212 b, 212 c and 212 d, with one support aperture 212 aserving as a pivot point about which modular bracket 210 c can berotated and three support apertures 212 b and 212 c that can be used tosecure modular bracket 210 c in a desired position. Each of the supportapertures 212 b is equidistant from support aperture 212 a, thatdistance being equal to the predetermined distance 216 between thesupport apertures 212 a, 212 b of modular brackets 210 a (FIG. 2) and210 b (FIG. 3). Support aperture 212 c is separated from supportaperture 212 a by a distance equal to an integer multiple ofpre-determined distance 216. As well, modular bracket 210 c isconfigured to receive a pair of shields 240 (as shown in FIG. 15), theshields 240 being supported substantially perpendicular to each other.Note, however, embodiments are envisioned wherein multiple shields aresupported over a wide range of angles relative to each other.

FIG. 5 shows a pair of modular brackets 210 d that are adjustable over awide range of positions relative to a vehicle mounting member 230 (FIG.9). As shown, each modular bracket 210 d includes two support apertures212 a, 212 d, with one support aperture 212 a serving as a pivot pointabout which modular bracket 210 d can be rotated. Support aperture 212 dcan be used to secure modular bracket 210 d in a desired position, asdiscussed hereinafter with regard to FIG. 12C. Support aperture 212 d isconfigured as a slot, wherein each point along a central axis bisectingthe slot is equidistant from support aperture 212 a, that distance beingequal to the pre-determined distance 216, such that support aperture 212d forms an arc about support aperture 212 a.

FIG. 6 shows a pair of modular brackets 210 e that are adjustablebetween four positions relative to a vertical mounting member 230 (FIG.9). As shown, each modular, bracket 210 e includes five supportapertures 212 a, 212 b connected by a bracket channel 213. Supportaperture 212 a engages an upper pivot pin 235 while support aperture 212b engages a lower pivot pin 235, thereby determining the angle of themodular bracket 210 e in the desired position, as discussed hereinafterwith regard to FIGS. 11A-11D. Each of the support apertures 212 b isequidistant from support aperture 212 a, that distance being equal tothe pre-determined distance 216 between the support apertures 212 a, 212b of modular bracket 212 a (FIG. 2). Similar to modular bracket 210 a,modular bracket 210 e is configured to receive a shield 240 (FIGS.1A-1B).

FIGS. 7A-7C show preferred embodiments of shelf support members 250a-250 c, respectively, configured for use with preferred embodiments ofthe modular food guard 120. As shown, the left shelf support member 250a and the right shelf support member 250 c each includes a shelf supportgroove 252, a front-end cap 254, and a rear end cap 256. Preferably, thefront-end cap 254 is configured such that is conforms closely to thesurface of the vertical mounting member 230 (FIG. 9) to which it isattached. As shown, the concave shape of the front-end cap 254 helpsensure the shelf support members can be securely mounted to theassociated vertical mounting member 230, which preferably has a circularcross section. The rear end cap 256 helps to maintain a shelf 258 (FIG.13A) in its associated shelf support groove 252 by preventing rearwardmotion of the shelf 258 (FIG. 13A). The center shelf support member 250b includes a pair of shelf support grooves 252, thereby enabling thecenter shelf support member 250 b to support a pair of shelves 258, onedisposed on each side of the center shelf support member 250 b.Preferably, the shelf support members are removably connected to thevertical mounting member 230 using threaded fasteners (not shown).

FIG. 8 shows a preferred embodiment of a pair of shield cap assembly 242including a shield cap 244, a threaded stem 245, a coped connector 247,and an angled flange 248 having a pair of mounting apertures 249. One ofthe mounting apertures 249 is utilized for mounting the angled flange248 to a vertical mounting member 230 (FIG. 9) while the other isutilized for attaching a shield 240 (FIGS. 1A-1B) to the angled flange248. Preferably, an insulator 241 and a washer 243 are used to preventthe shield cap 244 and threaded stem 245 from directly contacting theshield 240, thereby preventing potential damage to the shield 240.Preferably, threaded fasteners (not shown) are used to attach the angledflange 248 to the vertical mounting member 230. Note the coped connector247 can be placed between the angled flange 248 and the verticalmounting member 230 to ensure a stable mounting exists. As well, theangled flange 248 can be rotated such that the shield 240 is supportedin a substantially vertical plane, or such that the shield 240 issupported in a substantially horizontal plane (FIG. 14) and therebyfunctions as a shelf.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a verticalmounting member 230 for use with a preferred embodiment of themodular-food guard 120. The vertical mounting member 230 includes a base232 and a plurality of support receptacles 234. As shown, two pairs ofsupport receptacles 234 are disposed on a first side of the verticalmounting member 230, and the support receptacles 234 within each pairare separated by the predetermined distance 216 separating correspondingsupport apertures on modular brackets 210 a-210 e (FIGS. 2-6,respectively). As such, modular brackets 210 a-210 e may all beinterchangeably attached to the vertical mounting member 230, preferablywith threaded fasteners, such as pivot pins 235. As well, the verticalmounting member 230 includes a number of individual support receptacles234 a positioned to receive shelf support members 250 a-c (FIGS. 7A-7C).Preferably, the vertical mounting member 230 includes at least a pair ofsupport receptacles 234 on a second side (not shown), typically oppositethe first side, such that modular brackets 210 a-210 e can be supportedopposite each other (FIG. 13B). Preferably, the support receptacles 234can be used to secure shields 240 directly to the vertical mountingmembers 230 using threaded fasteners, such as shield caps 244 (as shownin FIG. 15). Embodiments are envisioned wherein the vertical mountingmembers 230 have other than circular cross sections, such as square,rectangular, etc.

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate a perspective view of an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate the movement of the variousparts of an adjustable four-position modular food guard 120. The modularfood guard 120 includes a pair of modular brackets 210 b (FIG. 3), avertical-mounting member 230, and a shield 240. The shield 240 isattached to the modular bracket 210 b via a plurality of shield capassemblies 242, minus the angled flange 248. The modular bracket 210 bengages the vertical-mounting member 230 by way of a plurality of pivotpins 235. More specifically, the pivot pins 235 engage the modularbracket 210 b through; one or more support apertures 212. The pivot pins235 are attached to the vertical-mounting member 230 by engaging supportreceptacles 234 (FIG. 9) that correspond to the support apertures 212.As shown, the modular bracket 210 b includes four support apertures 212b that can be used to secure the shield at angles of approximately zerodegrees, thirty degrees, sixty degrees, and ninety degrees relative tothe vertical mounting member 230. The angle is changed by removing thepivot pin 235 disposed through one of the support apertures 212 b,rotating the shield 240 into the desired position such that a supportaperture 212 b is aligned with a support receptacle 234, and re-engagingthe support receptacle 234 with the pivot pin 235.

FIGS. 10B and 10C illustrate the modular food guard 120 after it hasbeen moved into one of the intermediate positions. The angle chosen willdepend upon the function the shield 240 will serve. To re-position theshelf 240 from the vertical position (FIG. 10A), the lower pivot pin 235is removed from the associated support receptacle 234 and supportaperture 212 b. The shield 240 is then rotated into the desired positionsuch that one of the support apertures 212 b on each modular bracket 210b is aligned with a support receptacle 234. Once in the desiredposition, the pivot pin 235 is passed through the support aperture 234and inserted into the support receptacle 234. FIG. 10D shows the shield240 in the position at which the shield 240 is perpendicular to thevertical mounting member 230. In this position, the shield 240 canfunction as a shelf.

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate a cut out view of an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate the movement of the various parts ofmodular four-position food guard 120. The modular food guard 120includes a modular bracket 210 e, a vertical-mounting member 230, and ashield 240. The shield 240 is attached to the adjustable bracket 210 evia a plurality of shield cap assemblies 242, without the angledbrackets 248. The modular bracket 210 e engages the vertical-mountingmember 230 by way of a plurality of pivot pins 235. More specifically,the pivot pins 235 engage the adjustable bracket 210 e through a bracketchannel 213. The pivot pins 235 are attached to the vertical-mountingmember 230 through the bracket channel 213. In a preferred embodiment,the bracket channel 213 connects four support apertures 212 a, 212 bthat can be engaged with the pivot pins 235. In a preferred embodiment,support apertures 212 b are at angles of about thirty, sixty, and ninetydegrees from the substantially straight portion of the bracket channel213. FIG. 11A shows modular bracket 210 e in the vertical position,wherein none of the support apertures 212 a, 212 b are engaged by thepivot pins 235. The adjustable bracket 210 e can slide along the pivotpins 235 into the desired position and locked into position by thesupport apertures 212 a, 212 b.

FIG. 11B illustrates the modular bracket 210 a after it has been movedinto a locked position of approximately thirty degrees relative to thevertical support member 230 using support apertures 212 a, 212 b. Morespecifically, the modular bracket 210 e slides along the pivot pins 235,where the pivot pins 235 are engaged to the adjustable bracket 210 ethrough the support apertures 212 a, 212 b. The modular bracket 210 eslides into a position such that an upper pivot pin 235 engages supportaperture 212 a and a lower pivot pin engages one of support apertures212 b. so the shield 240 is in an angled position. A non-limitingillustrative example of the angle of the shield 240 (depicted in FIG.11B) is about thirty degrees, but any other appropriate angle could beused. The support apertures 212 a, 212 b can be disengaged from thepivot pins 235 and the shield 240 slide back into the vertical position,as depicted in FIG. 11A, or into another angled position, as depicted inFIG. 11C (sixty degrees) and 11D (ninety degrees).

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate embodiments of the modular food guard 120wherein each vertical mounting member 230 is configured to supportmultiple modular brackets 210 and/or shields 240. More specifically,multiple pairs of support receptacles 234 are disposed on the verticalmounting members 230, further increasing the flexibility and ease withwhich the modular food guard 120 can be modified. FIG. 12A shows twoshields 240 attached to the vertical mounting members 230 withadjustable modular brackets 210 b, as discussed with regard to FIGS.10A-10D. As such, both shields 240 can be secured in a number ofdifferent positions. As shown, the lower shield 240 functions as a shelfand the upper shield 240 functions as a “sneeze guard” for items placedon the lower shield 240. The modular food guard 120 could be easilymodified into a two-shelf configuration (not shown) by adjusting theupper shield 240 as discussed above with regard to FIG. 9D. Extra pairsof support receptacles. 234 disposed on the vertical mounting members230 opposite the modular brackets 210 b permit the modular food guard120 to be expanded laterally with the addition of extra modular brackets210, shields 240, etc.

FIG. 12B illustrates a similar embodiment of the modular food guard 120to that shown in FIG. 12A, with the exception of replacing the upperpair of modular brackets 210 b (FIG. 3) with the modular brackets 210 a(FIG. 2). The modular brackets 210 a and 210 b are interchangeablebecause a pre-determined distance 216, as discussed with regard to FIGS.2 and 3, respectively, separates the support apertures 212 a, 212 b onboth brackets. To interchange the modular brackets 210 a and 210 b, anoperator first removes the upper shield 240. This is accomplished byremoving the shield caps 244 that secure the shield 240 to the modularbrackets 210 b. Next, the modular brackets 210 b are removed bydisengaging the pivot pins 235 from the support receptacles 234. Toinstall the modular brackets 210 a, the support apertures 212 a, 212 bare aligned with the support receptacles 234 and the pivot pins 235 aredisposed through the support apertures 212 a, 212 b and engage thesupport receptacles 234. The shield 240 is attached to the modularbrackets 210 a with the shield caps assemblies 242. Note, however,because modular bracket 210 a has only two support apertures, it is notadjustable.

FIG. 12C illustrates a similar embodiment of the modular food guard 120to that shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, with the exception of replacing theupper pair of modular brackets 210 b and 210 a, respectively, with themodular brackets 210 d (FIG. 5). The modular brackets 210 d areinstalled as discussed with regard to FIGS. 12A and 12B. However, themodular brackets 210 d include a slot-shaped support aperture 212 d, asdiscussed with regard to FIG. 5, and are therefore adjustable. To adjustthe upper shield 240, the pivot pin 235 disposed in the slot-shapedsupport aperture 212 d is loosened such that the modular bracket 210 dis free to rotate about the pivot pins 235 disposed in support apertures212 a. Once the shield 240 is in the desired position, the loosenedpivot pins 235 are re-tightened such that they engage the slot-shapedsupport aperture 212 d. Note, the slot-shaped support aperture 212 d canbe engaged by the pivot pins 235 at any point along its length, meaningthe shield 240 can be secured in a large number of positions.

FIG. 13A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention. The modular food guard 120 includes a pair of modularbrackets 210 a (FIG. 2), a pair of vertical mounting members 230, ashield 240, a pair of shelf support members 250 a, 250 b, and a shelf258. Each shelf support member 250 a, 250 b includes a front-end cap254, a rear end cap 256, and a shelf support groove 252, as discussedwith regard to FIGS. 7A-7C. The shelf support member 250 a, 250 b can beof unitary construction, but preferably, the noted elements are separateand connected by threaded fasteners (not shown). Preferably, the shelfsupport members 250 a, 250 b are attached to an associated verticalmounting member 230 by disposing a threaded fastener through an orificein the front end cap 254 and engaging a support receptacle 234 disposedon the vertical mounting member 230. After securing the shelf supportmembers 250 a, 250 b to their respective vertical mounting members 230,opposing ends of the shelf 258 are disposed in opposing shelf supportgrooves 252 on the shelf support members 250 a, 250 b. Rearward motionof the shelf 258 within the shelf support grooves 252 is then preventedby threadably securing a rear end cap 256 to each shelf support member250 a, 250 b.

FIG. 13B illustrates the embodiment of the modular food guard 120 asshown in 13A, with the addition of a third vertical mounting member 230a, a pair of modular brackets 210 a, and a second shield 240 a.

FIG. 14 illustrates a portion of an embodiment of a modular food guard120 according to the present invention. As shown, the modular food guard120 includes a vertical mounting member 230, a shield 240, a shelf 258,and a plurality of shield cap assemblies 242. Preferably, each shieldcap assembly 242 includes a shield cap 244, a threaded stem 245 (FIG.8), a coped connector 247, and an angled flange 248. As shown, theshield cap assembly 242 can be used to mount both shields 240 andshelves 258 to the vertical-mounting member 230. To mount a shield 240to the vertical mounting member 230, apertures in the coped connector247 and a first flange of the angled flange 248 a are aligned with asupport receptacle 234. A threaded fastener is then passed through theapertures and threadably engaged in the support receptacle 234. Prior tosecuring the angled flange 248 a in the desired position, the operatorshould ensure the second flange of the angled flange 248 a issubstantially parallel to the plane of the shield 240. Next, aperturesin both the second flange and the shield 240 are aligned so that thethreaded steam 245 can be passed therethrough and threadably engagedwith the shield cap 244.

To mount a shelf 250 to the vertical-mounting member 230, substantiallythe same procedure is followed as that discussed above with regard tomounting a shield 240, with one exception. Prior to securing the angledflange 248 b to the vertical mounting member 230 with the threadedfastener, the angled flange 248 b is rotated such that the second flangeis in a substantially horizontal disposition.

FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of an embodiment of a modular food guard120 according to the present invention. As shown, the modular food guard120 includes a vertical mounting member 230, a modular bracket 210 c, ashelf 258, and a pair of shields 240 a and 240 b. The side shield 240 ais connected to the vertical-mounting member 230 using only the shieldcaps 244, a threaded stem 245 and coped connectors 247 of the shield capassemblies 242. Preferably, the threads of the threaded fasteners, suchas the pivot pins 235 and shield cap 244, are the same so that they canbe used interchangeably with the support receptacles 234. Preferably,spacer element 251 is positioned between modular bracket 210 c andvertical mounting member 230. The spacer element 251 includes a concaveside adjacent the vertical mounting member 230 and a substantially flatside adjacent the modular bracket 210 c. As such, the spacer element 251allows the modular bracket 210 c to be securely mounted to the verticalmounting member 230.

FIG. 16 illustrates a modular food guard 120 according to the presentinvention. As shown, the modular food guard 120 includes a plurality ofshields 240 attached to a plurality of vertical mounting members 230using shield cap assemblies. Note that the shields 240 do not lie alonga single plane. This is the result if disposing the support receptacles234 on each vertical mounting member such that the support receptacles234 are not disposed directly opposite each other. The angle betweenadjacent shields 240 can be chosen by the placement of the supportreceptacles 234 on the vertical-mounting members 230.

Although not shown, embodiments are envisioned wherein modular foodguards 120 are mounted to vertical surfaces (i.e., walls). Also,embodiments are envisioned wherein modular food guards 120 extenddownwardly from overhangs (ie., ceilings).

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of theinvention without departing substantially from the spirit and principlesof the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the presentinvention and protected by the following claims.

1.-11. (canceled)
 12. A method of converting a modular food guard from afirst configuration to a second configuration, comprising the steps of:disengaging a securing means from a vertical mounting member of a foodguard apparatus; removing a first bracket member from the verticalmounting member; and removably securing a second bracket member to thevertical mounting member with the securing means, wherein the first andsecond bracket members have different constructions.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the disengaging step further comprises disengaging afirst pair of pivot pins from a first pair of support receptaclesdisposed in the vertical mounting member, the support receptacles of thefirst pair of support receptacles being separated by a distance.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the disengaging step further comprisesthreadably disengaging the first pair of pivot pins from the first pairof support receptacles.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein theremovably securing step further includes engaging the first pair ofsupport receptacles with the first pair of pivot pins.
 16. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the removing step further comprises extracting thefirst pair of pivot pins from a first pair of support apertures disposedin the first bracket.
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising thesteps of: removably attaching a shelf support member to the verticalmounting member; and supporting a shelf with the shelf support member.18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of removablyconnecting a shield to the second bracket.
 19. A method of assembling amodular food guard comprising the steps of: removably attaching a firstbracket to a vertical mounting member of a food guard apparatus byengaging a first pair of support receptacles disposed on the verticalmounting member with a first pair of pivot pins wherein the supportreceptacle of the first pair of support receptacles are separated by adistance; and removably attaching a second bracket to the verticalmounting member by engaging a second pair of support receptaclesdisposed on the vertical mounting member with a second pair of pivotpins, wherein the support receptacles within the second pair of supportreceptacles are separated by the distance.
 20. The method of claim 19,further comprising the steps of: removably securing a first shield tothe first bracket; and removably securing a second shield to the secondbracket.
 21. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:removably connecting a shelf support to the vertical mounting member;and supporting a shelf on the shelf support member.
 22. The method ofclaim 20, further comprising the steps of: disengaging one of the pivotpins of the first pair of pivot pins from an associated supportreceptacle; rotating the first bracket into a second position; andsecuring the first bracket in the second position by re-engaging theassociated support receptacle with the pivot pin.
 23. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the removably attaching steps further comprisethreadably engaging the support receptacles with the pivot pins.